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The Bible

 By Chris Bell 

End Times – Rapture & Judgement Day According to the Bible

Summary

This Scripture-based study explains the End Times in the Bible—including the Rapture, Judgement Day, the Tribulation, the Antichrist, and the mark of the beast—using key passages in context rather than speculation. 

Non-Christians: I highly recommend starting with my article, Atheism - A Different Perspective, before reading this page.

Contents (Jump Links)

  1. End Times Signs in the Bible

  2. The Rapture According to the Bible

  3. The Second Death in the Bible

  4. The Antichrist: What Many Miss

  5. Rapture Timing: Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, or Post-Trib? (Bible Passages)

  6. End Times Timeline in the Bible: Antichrist → Tribulation → Second Coming

1. End Times Signs in the Bible

There are two main signs in the Bible that point to the End Times:

  1. Wars, rumors of wars, and earthly disasters growing (Matthew 24:6-7), which will start when this next indicator reaches its fullness:

  2. When most people become without the Holy Spirit (Matthew 24:15).

(A Bible sign often overlooked in end times discussions)

The 1st Sign

Is not quite there yet because there were worse times in history than today. Today's events such as Covid and the wars in Israel and Ukraine are relatively insignificant compared to similar events in the past - World Wars 1 and 2, Smallpox in early 1900s (300 million people dead), the Spanish flu of 1918 (21 million dead in 4 months), etc.. And the environmental issues may be hundreds of years away before we see actual disastrous effects or may even be cyclical. However, this indicator could speed-up very quickly if today's wars escalate into a nuclear confrontation for example.

The 2nd Sign

Is "when most people are without the Holy Spirit," is usually not considered by most. We can have an idea of this indicator by monitoring the world around us - things like news about fast decreasing number of Christians, social media and Atheism influence on new generations, etc.. And not to forget that most of the so called "Christians" today are misled by their churches' false doctrines, and therefore are not true Christians, and already don't have the Holy Spirit. Jesus said“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, John 14:15-16.

Who even knows Jesus' commands today, much less keep them? And who therefore has the Holy Spirit, "another advocate"?! The situation is worse than we know.

I believe when this 2nd sign reaches its fullness, then the 1st sign will be launched.

Where did I come up with this 2nd sign? It's from the Bible. We can learn from past rapture-like events described by the Bible, such as, Noah's flood and Sodom and Gomorrah. In both of these events, it was when there were no true believers left in the land, except a handful of them, that God took action. In both cases, God raptured the few true believers, and destroyed the rest. 

There are two specific terms used in the Bible to refer to this 2nd sign coming in the future:

  • "The abomination that causes desolation."

  • "The One who now holds it back."

 

1.1 Expanding on the 2nd Sign - The abomination that causes desolation

 

This term was mentioned in several places in both the Old and New Testaments. It means:

 - Abomination: Demonic spirit - the devil.

 - Desolation: When most humans are without the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 24:15-24 [Jesus said:] 

15 So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel - let the reader understand … 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

In other words, when you see that the evil spirit has replaced the Holy Spirit in most people - "standing in the holy place" meaning where the Holy Spirit would normally reside inside people, then the false messiahs will appear...

"The Holy Place": Most theologians think the "holy place" is a temple in Jerusalem. But it is not. Not anymore.

Recall that when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the inner-room, "the Holy Place" in the Jewish temple, was torn in two. This indicated that the Holy place was no longer a physical place in Jerusalem. The Holy place that Jesus is talking about here is the place where the Holy Spirit resides, based on the New Covenant of God - inside of us. Paul said the same here:

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?

Note, any nice person - "nice" by worldly standards but not necessarily by God's standards, can have an antichrist-following-spirit. It means they rejected the God of the Bible in some form or another. Example, today's churches and their unbiblical teaching, like Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, Calvinists, etc., and atheists & devil worshippers, and all non-Christians. And no, I'm not saying everyone is without the Holy Spirit except me! I'm saying today's Narrow Gate is much narrower than it was in the days of Jesus when He spoke of it. Also I explain here why I'm saying this about churches: Are We True Christians.

1.2 The One who now holds it back

According to the apostle Paul in the reference below, when the Holy Spirit "the One who now holds it back", is no longer inside most people on earth, then end times events are launched. Which has the same meaning as the "abomination that causes desolation" that Jesus spoke of, referencing the prophet Daniel. 

 

2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 [Paul said:] 

For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the One who now holds it back will continue to do so till He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie...

Notes: Paul, reiterating Jesus' words, said that the Antichrist will appear on the scene when the Holy Spirit "is taken out of the way". Meaning most people on earth become rejecting of God, and consequently without the Holy Spirit. Then the "lawless one" will have unhindered free roam. 

2. The Rapture According to the Bible

The Bible describes a first resurrection for true believers, people nick-named it, "the Rapture". And a 2nd resurrection, for the rest of the people later, called "Judgement Day".

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 ​Paul said

14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Revelation 20:4-6

4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Summarizing some facts on the Rapture, from Bible references:

  • What is the rapture? It is when genuine believers both dead and alive are removed from earth and joined with Jesus in the clouds. Note, only true-Christian-believers and true-Jewish-believers-before-Christ, will be removed in the rapture, not all so called "Christians" or "Jewish"!   Who are the "true Christian believers"? They're those who's sins have been forgiven. They know the commands of Jesus and keep them. See section below on The Lord's Prayer. If you're thinking, "what commands? I'm covered by the blood", or "I pray the rosary always", you'd better see The Lord's Prayer section.

  • Will the rapture be before, during, or after the tribulation period? It is towards the end of the 7-year tribulations. Clear biblical references below.

  • Although the actual word "rapture" is not in the Bible, it is a good one-word description of the events prophesied in the Bible.

  • No one knows when Jesus returns except God the Father. Therefore, it could be tomorrow or 500 years from now. ​So, you can ignore all those collecting donations on YouTube and profiting from clicks on TikTok.

  • The rest of the prophesied end times events (shown in the section below) will continue on earth after the rapture. Most of the end times horror will not be attended by true Christian believers because they would be raptured from earth earlier.

  • On the rapture day, when the dead believers rise to meet Jesus in the clouds, among them will also be all the biblical personalities, like Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Mary, Paul, the disciples of Jesus, to name a few who will also rise from the dead at the sound of the trumpet.​​

  • There are several rapture-like events that already took place in the Bible. These are very good parallels that we can learn from:

    • Noah and his family removed before the flood. Which was actually referred to as a parallel to the rapture in Matthew 24:37-39.​

    • Lot and his family removed before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, also used as rapture parallel in Luke 17:28-29

    • Mary, Joseph, and baby-Jesus removed before King Herod ordered the killing of all babies under 2 years old - Matthew 2:13-18.

2.1 How to be ready for the rapture whether dead or alive at the time

  • It is not about who is not sinning.  It is about who has their sins forgiven! See my page on How to Be True Christians. While not sinning is our calling, we should genuinely repent when we do, humble ourselves, and ask God for forgiveness the proper way. And He will forgive you!

  • To always remain in the state of "sins forgiven", Jesus gave us the perfect daily prayer - The Lord's Prayer (see section below with crucial new explanation). As long as we genuinely pray this prayer daily with the Bread meaning the spiritual Bread of life, Jesus Himself, for the forgiveness of sins, we will always be ready for the Rapture.

  • It's sad to hear so many churches, book authors, and internet Christian sites don't know what Christianity is about! Teaching people that the only way to make it into the rapture is to stop sinning! Church leaders talking about "God is angry..." pressuring people with harsh requirements they themselves cannot keep! See Are We True Christians? (section below) about the incompetency of churches. They're all getting creative with generating profits from the innocent!

 

Summarizing - to be ready, become right with God, the biblical way:

  • Pray the Lord's Prayer daily, with the "Bread" meaning the spiritual Bread of life, Jesus Himself, for the forgiveness of sins. And receive the Holy Spirit.

  • Wholeheartedly seek God, by studying the Bible.

  • Genuinely love all people of all origins, skin color, and financial status, as you love yourself. And most importantly, always forgive them.

2.2 How Exactly Do We Get Taken Up at Rapture?

First, we have to accept the fact that the Bible did not provide much details. But we do have a couple of analogic examples in the Bible:

 

The ascension of Jesus into heaven was described with some details:

Acts 1:9-11

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

 

We can also learn more from the time of Jesus on earth after resurrection. Jesus appeared to more than 500 at the same time. The 500 weren’t together! The Bible specifically used the term "at the same time", meaning they weren't one big crowd of 500. So similarly, we the true believers scattered around the earth, will all see Him at the same time when He returns:

1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬-‭6

“that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.”

Aside from the resurrection of Jesus, another description in the Bible that can be used to give us an idea about the dead people going up at that time, is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Before the miracle, his sister told Jesus, "It's been 4 days, his body is decaying and stinking by now...". But Jesus brought him out as a whole, normal human.

Only some hints of how it will happen, but precious ones!

2.3 Another Rapture Perspective

The question of "when will the rapture occur?" can also be answered in a different way:

To any living person the rapture is less than a 100 years away. How is that? The day we die, we fast-forward to the rapture. Paul said "in a twinkling of an eye" - so from the point-of-view of the dead person, the moment they die, they instantly reopen their eyes to the sound of the trumpet.

I'm 65 years old now in 2024. So for me the rapture is less than 30 years or so away.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:36-41 that no one knows the day or the hour except God the Father. And compared that time to when Noah and his family were removed before the flood. And in Luke 17:28-29, Jesus also compared it to when Lot and his family were removed before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In these references, it was noted that Noah and his family and Lot and his family were removed before destruction. This is still in line with rapture after tribulations. Because the worst destruction comes in the years after the rapture.

Matthew reported similar words from Jesus as Luke described.

Matthew 24:36-41

[Jesus:] “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

Matthew 24:3-8

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Matthew 24:9-13

[Jesus:] “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 

3.  The Second Death in the Bible

There are several references in the Bible about a 2nd death. 

The 1st Death:

Our normal physical death - All people on earth will experience this death, except those true believers who will be alive during the Rapture. 

Revelation 20:6

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

The 2nd Death:

Is the eternal hell destination on Judgement Day - for those who rejected God in some form or another; who did not learn Jesus' commands, nor keep them. And therefore, their sins were not forgiven. Whether Christians or non-Christians, they will be resurrected on Judgement Day and destined to the "lake of fire". True Christians whose sins are forgiven will not experience the 2nd death.

Revelation 20:14-15

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:8

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

In this reference from Matthew when Jesus was describing the rapture He said:

Matthew 24:34-35 

Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

"this generation will not pass away" - "pass away" here refers to the 2nd death at judgement time. And "this generation" refers to the people standing there with Him.

So to those clueless unbelievers mocking the Bible, yes that generation of people at Jesus' time, did pass away 1st-death-wise. But will be brought back for the final round of judgement, and then "pass away" 2nd-death-wise. 

4. The Antichrist in the Bible: What Many Miss

The references below point to 2 different characteristics of the word "antichrist":

  1. A person with a demonic spirit - as in, the Antichrist the son of the devil.

  2. A collective teaching "not in line with Jesus Christ of the Bible". Example, the churches of today. See Are We True Christians?

What is the meaning of the adjective "antichrist"?

It is any teaching not in-line with Jesus Christ's teaching and commands!

You are either one of this group:

The Christian body of genuine believers following Jesus' commands, led by Jesus Himself through the Holy Spirit within us.

Or one of this group:

The body of unbelievers and other "seemingly believers but with modified teachings of Christ", aka churchgoers, not following Christ's commands, led by Satan himself due to the absence of the Holy Spirit within them.

This Bible reference points to the exact point I'm making:

1 John 2:18-19

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

Notes: John said here, even in his time antichrists started appearing! He used the term, "they went out from us". Meaning they picked up some teaching about Christ, and took off with it their way. John called this behavior, antichrist. It makes sense; any teaching not in line with Jesus Christ's teaching is an antichrist-collective according to this 1John reference. This trend has definitely exploded over the years, and is approaching ripeness in today's churches.

And the following reference says the Holy Spirit is currently still holding back the "lawless one". Then there will come a time when He won't hold him back anymore. Meaning a time when most people on earth become rejecting of God in some form or another, no one will be filled with the Holy Spirit anymore. Then the Antichrist will appear in the world:

2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 ​[Paul said:] 

For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie...

You are either Christian, or you are antichristian, there is no in-between. Thinking that "a church teaching with some flaws is ok?" It is not! It is poisoning people's thoughts with their false doctrines. Jesus spent a lot of time and effort giving us precisely-worded parables and commands, not to be neglected! To ignore Jesus' commands and get creative means you're antichristian. 

I believe that today's churches, lost as they are, are primed and ready to become Antichrist followers when he appears and starts displaying signs & wonders!

👉🏽 I don't think the Antichrist will have horns and red eyes, nor appear at a satanic-worship temple for example - no, no one will follow that guy! And he will not be in Israel's Jerusalem either, because the Holy place is no longer in that Jerusalem. The Antichrist will be a handsome charismatic person, with eloquent speaking abilities, and will say what people want to hear. All he has to do is go-along-with the antichristian teachings already in-place in today's churches. Guaranteed to gain the loyalty of churchgoers:

  1. Take today's fast growing Pentecostals, for example, by-faith-aloners with already fake miracles and fake "speaking in tongues". A person like this will be strongly welcomed to lead their gatherings.

  2. Following right-behind, is today's Catholic church. Masters in devious ways of mummifications of people then declaring them saints, and putting them on display in glass caskets for duped "pilgrims" to come and donate. Where in the Bible does it say, if the dead body doesn't fully decay it means they're a saint?! Multiplying hosts is another sleeve-trick. It is all false religion, antichristian.

 

Add to that the upcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, and we'll have all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that the Antichrist will use, and many will fall for... Watch out that you are not deceived.

Along these lines, other parts of the Bible talk about what seems to be a satanically empowered man who will gain worldwide control with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27). He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:20).  The internet is full of speculations about the antichrist - "he will be a Muslim, he will be a Jew, he will be a gentile, he's already here, he's a spirit not a physical person, etc.." They're just speculations; no one really knows.

4.1 Mark of the Beast:

Interpreting the Book of Revelation is not an easy task. There are speculations everywhere, but until God reveals to us the full explanation in the future, we only have bits and pieces of it.

Revelation 13:16-18

It [the beast] also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

One possible interpretation of "666" is that the mark of the beast is the number 6, but emphasized 3 times as in the ways of emphasizing in those days and that culture. And the people who will receive this mark are those who's sins are not forgiven because they followed their church and rejected God. They did not learn Jesus' commands, nor keep them. Revelation 13:8 describes them as: "all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life".

A quick overview of number meanings in the Bible:

-The number 6 represents "man" who is sinful by nature. It comes from the fact that man was created on the 6th day. So the "mark of the beast" is 6.

-The number 7 represents God who is Holy. The number 7 interpretation comes from the fact that God rested on the 7th day, "the Holy Sabbath". The word Sabbath means 7.

-The number 3 represents the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And is a Holy number.

-The number 12 represents the 12 tribes of Israel, and is considered a Holy number. 

-The number 144000 elders in heaven, in the Book of Revelation, is another Holy number based on the "Elect" from the12 tribes of Israel. 12x12000=144000. It is a holy number representation of the saved, not an actual number of people deserving of saving.

5. Rapture Timing: Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, or Post-Trib? (Bible Passages)

From the many Bible references below, the Rapture may be closer to the end of the tribulation period. But True Christian Believers will not suffer. Example, this reference during tribulation, confirms that only the ones without the seal on their forehead during the tribulation period will suffer:

Revelation‬ ‭9‬:‭4‬-‭5‬

They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes.

  • The Rapture will be closer to the end of the period of tribulation.​

  • But it is likely that "most" true Christian believers alive at the time, will not experience the tribulation pains.

Jesus said to pray to avoid its pains, and Paul said we are not in darkness that this day should affect us.

5.1 The Rapture May be Closer to the End of the 7-Year Period of tribulation, but True Christians Won't Suffer:

Again, the Bible does not give a complete clear description. But we can study and pray for wisdom from God. The following reference provides solid proof that at least some true believers will be in the tribulation period, but not necessarily suffer as explained in the references further below.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭14

I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

And this reference sheds more light on this question:

Luke 21:10-19 [Jesus said:] 

10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.

13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth an d wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

I actually believe Verse 12 already took place with the disciples and apostles. Paul described in the New Testament almost exactly the same happened to him. So, we can deduct from this that true Christians will likely not suffer in the tribulation period.

Further confirming that Verse12 already took place - Then Jesus said in Verse13 that it will be an occasion for testimony. Which is also exactly what Paul did. Example Paul witnessing to King Agrippa:

Acts 26:28-29

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

Paul replied, “Short time or long - I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

5.2 Most True Christian Believers Alive at the Time of Tribulation, will not Experience the Tribulation Pains:

Many Bible references confirm this!

This reference from Jesus says that we can pray and avoid it.

Luke 21:34-36 ​

34 “Be careful, ... that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, ...

And these references from Paul say we shouldn't be affected because "we don't live in darkness," which is equivalent to what Jesus said. True Christian believers will not experience wrath, even during the tribulations because they know how to pray to God (i.e., the Lord's Prayer), and He will protect them. But with one exception related to "the Elect", in the next subsection.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 ​[Paul said:] 

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief... 

9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Remember that these will not be normal times. They will likely be more in line with the Moses in Egypt times - as in God's people will not be affected, but unbelievers will, example:

Exodus 8:22-24 

‘But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land. I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign will occur tomorrow.’”

And the Lord did this. Dense swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials; throughout Egypt the land was ruined by the flies.

And these from Revelation end times, about not harming people who have God's seal on their foreheads:

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Revelation‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬-‭3

Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”

Revelation 9:3-5 

And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭11

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

This one confirms only the ones without the seal on their forehead during the tribulation period will suffer:

Revelation‬ ‭9‬:‭4‬-‭5‬

They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes.

1. End Times Signs
2. The Rapture According to the Bible
3. The Second Death in the Bible
4. The Antichrist: What Many Miss
5. Rapture Timing: Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, or Post-Trib? (Bible Passages)
6. End Times Timeline in the Bible: Antichrist → Tribulation → Second Coming​

6. End Times Timeline in the Bible: Antichrist → Tribulation → Second Coming ​

There are several references in the Bible that talk about end times events. These references have a lot of similarities between them, and correlate in some ways. Starting from all the way back in the old testament book of Daniel, through the new testament, and to the book of Revelations. But none are crystal-clear, with questionable timeline sequence - which part was before? and which was after?... Obviously God intended it this way. He chose not to give us the full description; He gave us some hints, to be clarified in the future at His chosen time.

 

And so, with room for speculation, you'll find a variety of opinions out there, particularly relating to the order of things. The list below shows one possible scenario of the main events related to end times, gathered from reading the Bible and researching on the internet.

6.1 A best-guess timeline from the hints God gave us in the Bible

  • The Antichrist person appears on the scene. When the Holy Spirit ("the one who holds it back") is no longer inside most people on earth: 2 Thessalonians 2:7 … And then the lawless one will be revealed. Then a satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27). He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:20).

  • The tribulation. 7 years in which God’s judgement is poured out on unbelievers. Who are the "unbelievers"? They are Christians whose sins have not been forgiven because they were misled by their churches, and of course all non-Christians (Revelation 6:1 - 16:21). 

  • The rapture. Jesus' return. True Christian believers, dead and alive, will be removed from earth.

  • The Battle of Gog and Magog. A great army from the north, in alliance with several other countries from the Middle East and Africa, attacks Israel (Ezekiel 38–39). Note, this happens after the Rapture. So all the noise on the internet and social media about the Russia - Ukraine war and the associated middle-eastern coalition etc. as the beginning of Gog and Magog, is not in line with the Bible prophesies. True Christian believers will not be here during the Gog and Magog war.

  • The Battle of Armageddon. Jesus returns with the armies of heaven (Mark 14:62). (Revelation 19:11–21). The Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

  • Jesus' judgement of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, separating the righteous from the wicked as “sheep” and “goats” (Matthew 25:31–46). (It is thought that at this time the Old Testament believers will be raised from the dead.) The righteous will enter the millennial kingdom, and the wicked will be cast into hell.

  • The 1,000-year reign of Christ. Jesus will rule the world. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on earth (Revelation 20) and (Isaiah Chapters 60, 61, & 62).  Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for that 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–3).

  • The Great White Throne Judgement. Aka Judgement Day, Revelation 20-11. All those in hell will be brought forth, and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgement (Revelation 20:11–15) and (Daniel 12:1-13). The verdicts are read, and all of sinful humanity who rejected God in some form or another, did not keep Jesus' commands, and therefor whose sins are not forgiven, is cast into the lake of fire.

  • New heaven & new earth. God creates a new heaven and a new earth, Revelation 21:1-4. The saved true Christians will live on the new earth forever. See Truths about Heaven & Hell

Last updated: February 25, 2026

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